Bowen Calogero was influential for the Tigers against Congupna on Saturday.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Cobram’s brave premiership defence has fallen at the final hurdle, with the Tigers downed by eight points in the Murray Football League grand final after yet another classic instalment in their burgeoning rivalry with Congupna at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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With no clear advantage established either way across the entire 120 minutes of football, Cobram fought brilliantly until the final siren, but ultimately fell 11.16 (82) to The Road’s 14.6 (90)
Under clear spring skies, the opening exchanges were lively, with Perry Lewis-Smith and Tyron Baden combining to give the Tigers an early foothold.
Congupna’s Jack Norman and Dan Schaper, influential to start the day, snapped the run before Charlie Mellington made it three goals on the spin in reply, to keep the Road within four points.
Luca Allen was among the best for Cobram on Saturday.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Norman’s second goal early in the second quarter was cancelled out by a rising Luca Allen, with fellow Tigers’ midfielder Bowen Calogero also lifting in the engine room.
The waning stages of the first half evolved into a contested back-and-forth, though Cobram’s back half was able to repel some of Congupna’s more probing entries until Sam Poole split the sticks for the Road.
Bryden Squire’s influence throughout the midfield was telling, and when James Boyer found Kyle Mueller inside-50 — his first look on goal of the day in an entertaining clash against Bailey Roberts — he fired off Congupna’s eighth goal without a behind, a stark contrast to last year’s 5.21.
Cobram's Jackson Trengove and Congupna’s Samuel Buxton do battle in the ruck.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With the margin 11 points to the good of Congupna at half-time, the intent was clear from the Road as off-field drama sat in the wings.
Robbie Mifka crumbed the contest well and snapped truly, but when Sam Slavich shot the Road out to a game-high 21-point margin, eyes snapping to the digital scoreboard on the Kirchhofer St noticed it had gone dark.
On the other side of the ground, a clubroom fire prompted officials to evacuate supporters from the front viewing area and grandstand, with the old manual scoreboard hastily pressed back into service for the final quarter.
Cobram’s Hunter Hardwidge snaps for goal. Photos: Rechelle Zammit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Luca Allen began to lift his Tigers’ midfield and Ben Ryan’s presence was felt down forward with back-to-back goals, spot-fires emerging around the ground to indicate the beginning of what was to be another classic run to the finish line.
Congupna coach Ben Bingham implored his charges for one final effort in the sapping heat — he got it.
Cobram's Eamon Hyde was up and about after a crucial final term goal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Mifka immediately saw the Road out to a 17-point buffer, but an opportunistic toe poke out of an inside-50 contest to Luca Allen saw him snap truly to keep the back-to-back dream alive.
Sixteen-year-old Eamon Hyde was thrown forward for the final quarter and made an immediate impact, taking a commanding pack mark and converting coolly under enormous pressure to drag the margin back to five points.
Ben Ryan celebrates one of his four goals.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From here, the moments that defined a premiership were apparent.
Mueller sapped the Cobram momentum with a goal on the line, doubled shortly afterward with a falling, dribbling ball that suddenly had the Road back out to 17 points.
A Lewis-Smith shot on goal was parried right on the line by Cody Di Bella but when Tyron Baden was infringed inside-50, his second goal had Cobram back within range.
Tyron Baden sets sail for goal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
But too late, as Mueller pulled in a soaring mark to halt what had been an unbelievable finish to another classic grand final.
Skipper Samuel Beasley was named best afield for Cobram ahead of Calogero, Allen (two goals) and Hyde (one goal), while Ben Ryan’s game-high four goals also saw him among the best alongside Roberts.
Congupna’s Bryden Squire received the best on ground medal for his role in the victory, as well as being named the Murray league’s best player in the finals' series.
